The Best Online Master’s in Gifted and Talented Education Programs

Summary of work: More than 62 hours of research. Every online Master in Gifted and Talented Education program in the US analyzed. 18 industry experts, hiring managers, current students, and alumni consulted. 27 of the best programs identified.

As the name suggests, gifted and talented education involves teaching students who demonstrate above average abilities in school. Teachers in gifted and talented education, are responsible for engaging students who need additional challenges in their coursework. From advanced reading to mathematics, gifted and talented educators work to make sure students receive the encouragement they need to develop their intellectual abilities.

But given the different teaching environment and skills necessary for gifted and talented education, many professionals opt to receive specialized training in a master’s program. Courses offer intensive training in classroom assessment, fostering creativity, and conducting research. The pedagogical approach of the courses centers on ensuring that students with exceptional talents have room to grow without getting bored or discouraged. In addition, it offers students the ability to develop new teaching techniques that can apply to any classroom.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MASTER’S IN GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION

Most graduates become instructors that teach gifted and talented students—think honors and advanced placement courses. Others become researchers as well.

HOW WELL ACCEPTED IS AN ONLINE MASTER’S IN GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION?

Online degrees no longer carry the stigma they once did. In fact, online degrees are often indistinguishable from standard degrees and many well-respected programs offer online degrees.

CAN I GET A MASTER’S IN GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION ONLINE?

Yes. Many education departments offer online degree programs with a variety of specializations.

HOW CAN I GET A MASTER’S IN GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION?

The specific requirements vary depending on the school or program, but most programs list their requirements online. In any case, most will require a minimum GPA, teacher’s certificate, and an acceptable GRE score.

IS A MASTER’S IN GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION WORTH IT?

For teachers who want to further refine their skills, a master’s degree can be a strong investment. In addition, advanced degree holders often have higher salaries and chances of employment.

It’s no secret that teachers deserve higher salaries than they usually make, and many are beginning to agree. Teachers are as much advocates for improving educational systems as they are educators, which makes teaching of any kind a valuable and meaningful career. Those who teach gifted and talented students can feel confidence knowing they are shaping and making room for some of the future’s brightest minds.

For more more resources and career information related to this degree, please read our career guide here.

Best Online Masters in Gifted and Talented Education Programs

We took a deep-dive and analyzed every online Masters in Gifted and Talented Education program in the nation. Below are the results of our analysis and list of the 27 best online Gifted and Talented Education programs.

The University of Georgia's master's degree program in gifted education emphasizes research and analysis, making it perfect for educators who are interested in improving their analytical skills. Graduates emerge with strong research skills and are able to think strategically when developing and implementing curricula and programs for gifted and talented students.

The University of Missouri develops students into professionals through a career-focused curriculum in the master's in gifted education program. Through rigorous study and training from academic professionals, graduates emerge with the knowledge to succeed as gifted educators, helping gifted students to reach their fullest potential.

Educators require a solid fundamental knowledge of curriculum and instruction, and Liberty University delivers the necessary foundational courses in the master's degree program in gifted education. Through this program, educators emerge with greater teaching skills and knowledge to improve their own students' success in school.

Educators who already hold an Alabama Class B teaching certificate or an equivalent certificate from another state should consider the University of Alabama's master's degree program in gifted education. This program caters to certified teachers and provides them with the skills to develop and implement educational programming to challenge students who are gifted and talented.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Education Special EducationProgram Name: MA in Gifted and TalentedAccrediting Body: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

The University of South Florida offers a highly interactive master's degree program in gifted education for teachers who want to engage in collaborative projects with their peers. This program also provides an easy way for students to interact with their professors, receiving guidance and assistance as they advance through the coursework.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of EducationProgram Name: Master of Arts in Gifted Education

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: An earned bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.Credit Requirements: 36 credits

The University of North Texas offers an adaptable master's degree program in gifted education for full-time educators who want to take accelerated courses in the summer. Teachers in this program also take two courses each fall and spring, helping them to graduate on time and to advance their careers as professional educators.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of EducationProgram Name: MS in Educational Psychology - Concentration in Gifted and Talented

Wichita State University offers advanced studies for teachers who want to become leaders in the classroom. The master's in gifted education program provides teachers with advanced theoretical and practical skills to deliver a quality education and meaningful programs in their respective schools.

Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Education in Special EducationAccrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte develops the next generation of educators who help to prepare gifted and talented individuals for success in academics. The master's degree program in gifted education emphasizes leadership and provides the skills to propel the teachers' careers to the next level.

Program OverviewProgram Name: M.Ed. in Special Education: Academically or Intellectually GiftedAccrediting Body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or universityCredit Requirements: 33 credits

Regent University offers an advanced curriculum in the master's in gifted and talented program. The curriculum covers everything from research design and classroom management to models and strategies for teaching the gifted, providing educators with the skills to bring out the best in extraordinary students.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of EducationProgram Name: M.Ed. - Curriculum and Instruction major with a concentration in Gifted & TalentedAccrediting Body: CAEP

The University of Nebraska at Kearney excels as a leader in specialized education, providing a master's degree program in gifted education that offers a couple emphases for educators. Teachers can select to pursue specializations to become special education generalists, advanced practitioners or high-ability educators, enhancing their skills in a specific area of gifted and talented education.

Lindenwood University prepares graduates for career success as gifted coordinators with its master's degree program in gifted and talented education program. Through this program, educators learn the knowledge and skills to develop the most effective instructional methods for gifted students in K-12 schools.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Teacher Education DepartmentProgram Name: Master of Arts in Gifted EducationAccrediting Body: The Higher Learning Commission, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Western Kentucky University offers two graduate paths for students in the master's in gifted education and talent development program. Students can select either the Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders path or the Advanced Research Focus path, providing them with options based on their professional interests and career goals.

Program OverviewProgram Name: M.A.E. in Gifted Education and Talent DevelopmentAvailable Concentrations: General Concentration, Community and Technical College, Higher Education, Training and Development,

The University of Southern Mississippi is a military-friendly school and offers a master's degree in special education for students who want to work with the gifted and talented. This program is ideal for veterans and service members who want to increase their teaching abilities and to earn their degrees without ever stepping foot on campus.

Program OverviewProgram Name: Masters of Education Degree in Special EducationAvailable Concentrations: Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Emotional/Behavior Disorders, and Severe/Low Incidence DisabilitiesAccrediting Body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)

Fort Hays State University integrates the latest technologies in the curriculum to deliver an exceptional learning experience for students in the master's in gifted education program. The coursework covers best practices, research, critical thinking and more to enhance the educators' skill set for greater instruction and curriculum development in their classrooms.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Department of Advanced Education ProgramsProgram Name: Master of Science in Special Education - GiftedAccrediting Body: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

The University of Northern Colorado offers a comprehensive master's degree program in gifted education, covering most every aspect of the field. Graduates are equipped with the fundamentals to create engaging programs and to challenge their students, bringing out the best in them and helping them to make the most of their talents.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Special EducationProgram Name: Special Education M.A. - Gifted Education Specialist Endorsement

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.Credit Requirements: 36 credits

Converse College mimics the on-campus experience by providing online students with a collaborative and engaging virtual learning environment in the master's in gifted education program. Students can work together and interact with their professors in real time, getting all the support needed to succeed in school.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Department of EducationProgram Name: Master of Education in Gifted EducationAccrediting Body: South Carolina State Department of Education, Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: Graduation from an accredited institution.Credit Requirements: 36 credits

Teachers in the P-12 school system should consider McNeese State University for earning their master's degrees in gifted education. This program blends theoretical content with practical application in everything from curriculum and instruction to technology and counseling, creating an in-depth learning experience to help teachers succeed in their careers.

Cleveland State University offers a dynamic and engaging master's degree program in gifted education for teachers who want to learn through real-world applications. Teachers learn to create responsive curricula and programs that develop their students' talent and extend their creativity as well as their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Education and Human ServicesProgram Name: Master of Education: Gifted EducationAccrediting Body: National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Teachers who want to advance their careers as curriculum developers should consider Wilmington University. The master's in gifted education program addresses everything from research-based practices to curriculum development, helping teachers understand the best practices for creating effective curricula in special education programs.

Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Education in Instruction: Gifted and TalentedAccrediting Body: Psychology of Gifted and Talented Learners, Curriculum Design and Instructional Strategies for G/T Learners, Creativity and Critical Thinking, Practicum: Gifted and Talented Learners, The Gifted and Talented Child (pre-requisite for the MED Gifted and Talented courses)

Eastern Kentucky University offers a highly flexible master's degree program in gifted education to teachers who want to earn their degrees without interrupting their careers. This program is offered in eight-week terms, and students can study anytime and from anywhere at their own pace.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of EducationProgram Name: Master of Arts in Education - Gifted EducationAccrediting Body: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Arkansas State University puts its students on the fast track to a master's degree in gifted education. Students in this program benefit from a thorough curriculum and can complete all the coursework in just 18 months.

Program OverviewProgram Name: MSE in Gifted, Talented, and CreativeAccrediting Body: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a valid teaching certificate.Credit Requirements: 30 credits

Mary Baldwin University prepares graduates for career success through hands-on training and real-world projects. Graduates emerge with the communicative, team-building and developmental skills to work with gifted students and to help them achieve academic success.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of EducationProgram Name: MEd in Gifted EducationAccrediting Body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Millersville University offers a multidisciplinary master's degree program in gifted education. This 100 percent online program delves into different aspects of gifted education and provides the necessary skills for educators to enhance the academic instruction for gifted students.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Graduate Studies and Adult LearningProgram Name: M.Ed. in Gifted EducationAccrediting Body: Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

DeliveryFormat: OnlineInstruction Style: Asynchronous

Program requirementsPrerequisites: A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university.Credit Requirements: 36 credits

The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers a unique master's in gifted education program for teachers who want to improve their teaching pedagogy and their students' learning abilities. This program enables teachers to design appropriate learning materials that enhance their students' creativity and critical-thinking skills, all in only 15 months of full-time study.

Eastern New Mexico University offers one of the best master's in gifted education programs in terms of affordable tuition. Students in this program also benefit from 100 percent online courses, training from industry professionals and a customizable curriculum to prepare them for career success.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Department of Educational StudiesProgram Name: Master of Education with an emphasis in Gifted Education PedagogyAccrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

LSU Shreveport offers a completely online learning environment for students in the master's degree program in gifted education. This convenient, dynamic learning environment meets the needs of practicing teachers and gives them a way to earn their master's degrees without the need to attend on-campus classes.

Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Education in Curriculum and instruction with concentration in Academically GiftedAccrediting Body: Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

DeliveryFormat: Online

Program requirementsPrerequisites: A Graduate Degree from a regionally-accredited university.Credit Requirements: 36 credits

Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: December 3, 2018; February 25, 2019; April 22, 2019; June 17, 2019; August 12, 2019; October 7, 2019GPA: 2.75Work Experience: 1 year of professional work experience

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is an innovative leader in higher education and provides a quality master's degree program in gifted education for teachers. This program provides educators with the skills to implement innovative curricula and to provide greater instruction to gifted individuals in schools and other academic institutions.

Program OverviewDepartment Name: Department of Teaching, Leadership, and CounselingProgram Name: M.Ed with a concentration in Gifted EducationAccrediting Body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education